Fleet Management

November Truck Sales Up 18.5% Over Last Year

November U.S. retail truck sales for Class 6-8 fell 7.3% from October to 35,719. But the total was 18.5% above last November.

Since November is seasonally the weakest month of the year for Class 6-8 sales, the seasonally adjusted sales total hit a record high of 41,487, up 14.4% from October. Class 6 sales slipped slightly while both classes 7 and 8 increased sharply.The sales increase is consistent with many other recent economic reports showing a renewed growth spurt in October and November. The latest construction, employment, manufacturing production and export reports all recorded a strengthening economy and a boost in the demand for freight services.Class 6-8 sales this year are now expected to total about 439,000, 24% above last year. Sales will be about 409,000 in 2000 as economic growth slips from a 4% to a 3% pace.Class 3-5 sales were 15,256 in November, an 8% month-to-month decline but a small gain after seasonal adjustment.